AMBULANCES

That this House expresses concern at the replacing of conventional two-person crewed ambulances with single-staffed fast response vehicles, a practice which is currently occurring in various ambulance services across the United Kingdom; notes that such moves are designed to stretch existing resources to meet stricter time-defined targets as opposed to improving patient care and that since these changes have occurred no major studies have been done on the effects on patient care outcomes; further notes that many paramedics have expressed concern that such moves could put patients at risk including having to wait longer for two-person ambulances to arrive at a destination or accident scene involving multiple casualties and patients having to be transported in unsuitable vehicles; and believes that there should be a review of this policy also to include any impact that this major increase in lone working has on staff health and safety.